Highlights of Nuwara Eliya
Little England
Nuwara Eliya is a city, in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city name meaning is “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”. The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.
The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya’s climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England then, was also a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting,elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.
Although the town was founded in the 19th century by the British, the whole district is today visited by native travelers, specially during the month of April, the season of flowers, pony races, go cart races and auto rally. Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen’s Cottage, General’s House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, Town Post Office and even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Anyone who visits the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting these landmark buildings. Many private homes still maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.
Due to its highland location, Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb),[1] with a mean annual temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). In the winter months it is quite cold at night, and there can even be frost. However, it rapidly warms up as the tropical sun climbs higher during the day.
Nuwara Eliya Tea and Tea Factory
Tea production in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world’s fourth largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country’s main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, the British planter who arrived in 1852.
Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
The Nuwara Eliya International Golf Course, 117 year old private International Golf Course with one of Asia’s finest golf courses, located at 6400 feet above sea level and with 18 holes of which 6 are close to water, has been a championship course for many years. With most of its ground located within the city centre, but well hidden from the busy city.
Hakgala Botanical Garden
Botanic Gardens at Hakgala were established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promotion of Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka. The gardens lying in the hill country among Sri Lanka’s tea plantations in the Nuwara Eliya.
Situated at an elevation of about 1745 m above mean sea level, Hakgala Botanic Gardens, about 28 hectares in extent, lie under the shadow of the Hakgala Rock. This massive rock towers to a height of about 2,200m behind the gardens and the surrounding forest reserve like a solitary giant.
Gregory Lake Nuwara Eliya
Lake Gregory spreading an area of 91.2 hectares was built British colonial governor Governor William Gregory for the purpose of making use of water from River Nanuoya that flows past Nuwara Eliya. Boating, Cycling opportunities for the visitors are made possible by the boat house at the Lake.
Victoria Park at Nuwara Eliya
The Queen Victroia Park is located by the Nuwara Eliya City center and one of the must visit attraction. This park was name to commemorate the 60th Jubilee Coronation of Queen Victoria in the year 1897. The park covers 27 acres of land.
Victoria park is a place to relax and enjoy the natural sights and clean mountain air. This place is famous for bird watching and there there are large verities of plants and trees available. Victoria park come alive with the flowers specialy during the month of April, when the city of Nuwarea Eliya get crowed with large number of locals comes here for holidays time. Kids will love this place because there are plenty of room to play.
Horton Plains in Nuwara Eliya
Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the highlands of Sri Lanka. It lies about 20 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya and 20 kilometres west of Haputale, 2000 meters above seat level among the second and third tallest mountains in Sri Lanka – Kirigalpotta and Totapola. The average temperature in this area is about 16 C. With high winds in the evening it can be quite chilly. The park covers 31.60 km², and is a mixture of highland forest and wet grassland. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk on their own on the designated tracks.
Train Tour from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
Nuwara Eliya to Ella train trip is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in Sri Lanka. Therefore we facilitate our clients to book observation deck, luxury air conditioned compartment, 1st class AC compartment or 2nd class non AC reserved seats. The train starts from Pattipola Railway station and it takes about half hours approximately to reach Ella Railway station where the scenic trip ends.
